First time- Cambridgeshire area- what's it like? :)

[Cash]

I've been invited to go hunting in January in Cambridgeshire (where i live!) with my friend and possibly her family, probably with the Cambridge Draghounds (?) I can't take my own boy- too much of a nutter for a first timer - though i wish i could - I'll either be riding above friend's mum's hunter, or my yard owner's ex eventer, both of whom i know well so not a problem, but am really not sure what to expect, and a bit worried I'll embarrass myself, as she's been hunting in Somerset and Cambs with all her family since she was 4, is pony club queen etc! I've read all previous posts about first times- was just wondering if anyone had some advice about what to expect round Cambridgeshire- much jumping, what's the jumping like etc? Thanks!

 

[Smurphy]

They have a website with lots of pictures so you can get an idea what the fences will be like. The pace will be alot faster than normal hunting and the fences will be big, all over 3ft.

 

[Bubblegum]

Its fun fast & furious. You will have a great day. They meet in a range of venues... and every day is great.
They are run by the uni, but have a very experienced team behind them. Highly recommended for a fab day of fun!!!

 

[Cash]

Woah- have had a look at photos, agree it does look great fun, and most fences (excluding a few massive ones!) are the type of thing i could happily tackle at home out hacking with friends (though those ones in the photos are much better maintained, and without angry farmers :S ) but I'm not sure i could do it out on a horse that wasn't my own. I was hoping it would be more along the lines of smaller optional fences. May have to suggest we go somewhere a bit gentler (suggestions..?) or am i being wet? Hmmm
Thanks for your help both of you

 

[Smurphy]

they normally grade each meet by suitabilty, just ring the secrectary and im sure they will let you know if it would be suitable for a first timer or not as some meets have optional jumps and smaller fences suitable for a less experienced jumper.

 

[kit279]

I go out with the draghounds - they are great! Quite fast though and they don't tend to stop if you fall off, bless 'em.. Some of the meets are quite easy, jumping-wise and there are way around the jumps. There should be a nice meet in late January (meetcard not published for the New Year) at Hatley Park which would be ideal as all the jumps are optional and pretty small and inviting anyway. The meets with smaller jumping are starred as suitable for Pony Clubbers (and nervous people!). If you can though, I'd try and persuade them to let you come along in early March as they do a fab meet around Burghley Park! PM me if you're going, I shall look out for you and happy to be a non-jumping nanny f you need one as they don't have a non-jumping field master! Email Samuel, the student master, he knows the meets well and will help you pick a nice easy one.

 

[seabiscuit]

Ooh Hopefully I will join you guys!!

 

[ASM2]

Just watch, they do vary :grin:. eg Great Gidding is a big one but Burghley possibly the easiest. The problem with Burghley is that there's not always a lot of jumping other than the old PC xc course (NOT the 4* :shocked - I'd definitely go for Milton Park nr Peterborough for a good fun try with lots and lots of timber (max 3'6" with plenty of options to go around) in a lovely setting (just as nice as Burghley) and def one of the best teas afterwards too! . If I remember right the Milton meet is usually early Feb but the meetcard is on the website. Hope to see you there .

 

[Anna123]

The Milton meets sounds perfect for me and my young horse . Does anyone have any pics of the course please?

 

[ASM2]

I forget the usual photographers but I have a few pics at Milton which should give you an idea. I don't think I can post on here so will do so in PG.

Def good for a young horse btw - nothing tricky but lots for plenty of practice. I'll take my girl as a 4yr old for sure.

 

[Cash]

There should be a nice meet in late January (meetcard not published for the New Year) at Hatley Park.....If you can though, I'd try and persuade them to let you come along in early March as they do a fab meet around Burghley Park!

Haha thank you v much, I looked at the Burghley photos, the jumps do look nice and small.. may even try and take my own... what, no 4*? track? I was hopng to try a few.. Cottesmore Leap anyone?? Haha jokes yea i will try and persuade them to go with me to Burghley, or Hatley Park- see you there!! will pm if i can
Thanks again everyone!!

 

[combat_claire]

I second the vote for Milton Park - the jumps are nothing above 2'6'' and very forgiving - unlike the monsters I helped build at Gidding. If you can't make the drag meet the foxhounds meet there regularly.

www.fitzwilliamhunt.com for contact details - many of our meets have nice, fairly gentle hunt jumps to tackle or a non-jumping route and we are always in the Cambridgeshire Northants area rather than straying further afield like the drag seems to.

 

[foxhunter19205]

I used to go out with the drag about 30 years ago. I particularly remember leaving one meet; Henry Hill just turned his horse, and a couple of strides later was over the drive rails (a good 4 feet high, from the field) across the drive and into the opposite meadow over a 5 foot hedge! Needless to say we all went through the gates!! Brilliant fun though.